Automatic tension device and brake for web-rolls.



H. BARBER. v AUTOMATIC TENSION DEVICE AND BRAKE FOR WEB'ROLLS. 1,242,638.

- APPLICATION men NOV. 8, 1913.

Patented Oct. 9,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I Q '3 m? s H. M. BARBER.

. AUTOMATIC TENSION DEVICE AND BRAKE FOR was nous.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9| |9|3-.

1,242,638. Patgnted Oct. 9,1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- H. M. BARBER.

AUTOMATIC TENSION DEVICE AND BRAKE FOR WEB ROLLS.

' APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. I913.

1,242,638. Patented Oct. 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3-' 'IIIII inst stares an HOWARD M. BARBER, or sronrneron,connncrrcnr, AssIenon, BY MESNE Assxen- MENTS, T0 0. B. COTTRELL 8; sons COMPANY, or new YORK, n. Y., AconroRA'rIon OF DELAWARE.

AUTOMATIC TENSION DEVICE AND BRAKE FOR WEB-ROLLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 9, 1917.

Application med November s, 1913. Serial No. 799,999.

and State of Connecticut, have invented a new andv useful Improvement in Automatic Tension Devices and Brakes for VVeb-Rolls, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide novel means for gradually reducing the re tarding friction upon a web roll in which the diameter of the roll decreases and for preventing the overrunning of the roll when its unwinding mechanism is stopped.

My invention more specifically comprises a mechanism in which the retarding friction of a fluid pressure operated brake for the web roll is gradually reduced step by Steffi as the web roll decreases in diameter, sufficient pressure being applied to the brake to stop the rotary movement of the roll when the unwinding mechanism is stopped, the brake being released as the unwinding mechanism starts and the adjustable friction bein g applied when the unwinding mechanism attains a predetermined speed.

The invention is particularly directed to a device for use in connection with the web roll of a printing press. r

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying draw' ings, in which i Figure 1 represents the device in top plan, only so much of a web roll and its support being shown as will give a clear understandof the relative positions and arrangement of the parts,

Fig. 2 represents a view of the same in side elevation, certain of the parts being shown in section to more clearly illustrate the parts within the same,

Fig. 3 represents a view in end elevation of the parts,

Fig. 4 is a detail view in side elevation, partly in section, showing the tension device in a position which it assumes when the web roll. is unwound,

Fig. 5 is a detail section showing the means for controlling the movement of the brake lever fulcrum nuts, the parts being shown in'one position, and

Fig. 6 is a similar view with the shown in another position.

parts The frame is denoted by 1, which frame forms'a bearing support forthe shaft of the web roll 3. The web is led from the web roll 3 to any suitable unwinding mecha nism, such, for instance, as a printlng press.

:The fiuld pressure actuated brake is constructed, arranged and operated as follows:-

A brake drum lis fixed to the-shaft 2 of the web roll. Oppositely arranged brake shoes 5, 6, which coact withthe drum 4: are connected to the outer arms 7, 8, of levers pivoted at 9, 10, to the fulcrum nuts 11, 1 2, ere.

gaged with the oppositely screw threaded,

portions 13,,1d, of a vertical shaft 15, mounted in suitable bearings 16:, 17, on the frame 1.

The inner arms 18, 19,,of these levers are connected to the arms 20, 21, of a toggle lever connected toan outward extension 22 of a piston 23 by compensating-hinge plates 24%. This piston 23 works ina cylinder 25 and is provided with a piston rod 26 which extends through the inner end of the cylinder 25.

A piston 27 works in a larger cylinder 28, axially arranged with respect to the cylinder 25, which piston 27 is fixed to the piston rod 26. The piston rod 26 extends through the inner end of the large cylinder 28.

The pistons 23 and 27 are normally held. at the limits of their inward movements by a weight 29 and afiexible connection 30 passing over apulley 31 and connected to the inner end of the'rod 26. With the pistons at the limits of their inward movements the brake shoes 5 and 6 are released from frictional engagement with the drum 4 on the web roll shaft 2. p

Fluid pressure is supplied to the cylinder 25 back of the piston 23 through a pipe 32 leading from a suitable source of fluid pressure supply, such as a reservoir 33', which pipe 32 has a valve 3d therein opened and closed by a governor 35. This governor is under the control of a .web vroll unwinding mechanism, in the present instance through the shaft 36 leading to the printing press, which shaft hasa geared connection 37, 38, with the vertical shaft 39; This shaft 39 has a geared connection 40, 41, with the governor 35. The parts are so arranged that when the governor is at rest the .valve 34 will close communication from the reservoir 33 to the cylinder 25 and will open com munication from thecylinder 25 to external atmosphere for releasing the fluid pressure upon the back of the piston 23. When the governor is under speed, the valve 84 will be moved into a position to open communication between the reservoir 33 and cylinder 25 and close communication between the cylinder 25 and external atmosphere.

Fluid pressure is supplied to the cylinder 28 back .of the piston 27 through a pipe 42 leading from the reservoir 38, which pipe is provided with a three-way valve 43 having a lever 44 connected to a lever 45 through a rod 46. This l ver 45 is under the control of the printing press starter 47 as, for in stance, through an electromagnet 48 having its armature 49 carried by the lever, 45.

The arrangement of the parts and their operation are such that when the starter is moved into position to stop the press, the valve 43 will be moved into position to open the interior of the cylinder 28 back of the piston 27 to the reservoir 33 and when the starter is moved into position to start the press, the valve 43' will be moved into position to open the interior of the cylinder 28 to external atmosphere and close communication between the said cylinder and reser voir.

The fulcrum nuts of the brake levers are gradually moved toward each other step by step as the diameter of the web roll decreases for gradually reducing the frictional resistance of the brake shoes 5 and 6 by the following mechanism: An arm 50 is fixed to a rock shaft 51 mounted in the frame 1, which arm is provided with a roller 52 resting upon the periphery of the web roll 3. A spring 53, connecting the arm 50 with the main frame 1, serves to hold the roller 52 pressed against the web roll. The shaft 51 has a geared connection 54, 55, with a rock shaft 56 mounted in suitable bearings 57, 58. An escapement lever 59 is fixed to the rock shaft 56 and is provided with an escapement segment 60 having a series of notches 61.

As the web roll 3 reduces in diameter, due to the unwinding of the web therefrom, the lever 59 and its segment 60 will be rocked gradually and continuously in one direction.

A rotary shaft 62 is mounted in suitable bearings 63, 64, on the main frame and is provided with a geared connection 65, 66, with the oppositely screw threaded shaft 15 which carries the brake lever fulcrum nuts 11 and 12. This shaft 62 has fixed thereto a ratchet 67. A pawl 68 is carried by an escapement lever 69 loosely mounted on the shaft 62, which escapement lever is provided with a finger 70 arranged in alinement with the notches 61 in the escapement 60 and which isadapted to drop through said notches when opposite the same to permit a greater swinging movement of said. lever 69. A rock lever 71 is also loosely mounted on the shaft 62 adjacent to the naeaese escapement lever 69, which rock lever 71 is operated through a rod 72 from an eccentrio 73 on the shaft 36.

The escapement lever 69 is provided with a laterally extended pin 74 projecting into the path of the lever 71 and so arranged that when the finger 70 of the escapement lever 69 is held raised between the notches 61, the lever 71 will not engage the said pin 74. When the finger 70 is opposite one of the notches 61 and drops therethrough, the escapement lever 69 will be raised every upward movement of the lever 71 by its engagement with the pin 7 4 and thus cause the pawl 68, by its engagement with the ratchet 67,, to rotate the shaft 62 a short distance, such distance being controlled by the width of the notch 61.

This step by step rotary movement of the shaft 62 will, in turn, impart a step by step rotary movement to the shaft 15 thus drawing the fulcrum nuts of the brake levers slightly toward each other and thereby lessening the effect of the pressure fluid actuated piston upon the brake shoes 5 and 6.

The notches 61 in the segment are preferably graduated in width, growing gradually wider toward the rear end of the segment so as to give the desired amount of movement to the shaft 62 to insure the proper step by step reduction of the frictional resistance of the brake shoes 5 and 6 upon the drum 4 of the web roll.

By referring to the position of the toggle lever in Fig. 2 and its position in Fig. 4, it will be seen that with a constant fluid pres sure upon the piston 23 the effect upon the brake levers is much less when the web roll is unwound.

The compensating hinge plates 24 interposed between the piston extension 22 and the toggle levers 20, 21, will insure an even adjustment of the pressure by both of the brake shoes 5 and 6.

The shaft 62 may be provided with a handle 75 for permitting the manual adjustment of the fulcrum nuts 11 and 12 to insure the proper frictional engagement of the brake shoes 5 and 6 with the web roll drum 4.

In operation, when the printing press and thereby the web roll is stopped. the governor will be at rest and the valve 34 will be in position to open the space at the back of the piston 23 to external atmosphere and close communication between said space and the reservoir 83. At the same time, the valve 43 is in position to open communication between the reservoir 33 and the space back of the piston 27 and cut off comnninication be tween the said space and external atmosphere.

The area of the back "race of the piston 27 is sufficient to cause the fhiid pressure to hold thebrake shoes applied to the drum 4 and the weight 29 raised. As the controlling handle of the press starter 47 is moved to start the press, the. valve 43 will be moved into position to close communication between the reservoir 33 and the space back of thepiston 27 and at the same time open the said space to external atmosphere permit.

34L into position to open communication-be tween the reservoir '33 and the space back.

ofthe piston 23 and close communication between said space and external atmosphere, thus forcing the piston 23 outwardly and causing the brakeshoes 5 and 6' to friction ally. engage the drum are the web roll to retard the unwinding-movement of the said roll and place the proper amount of tension upon the web being unwound therefrom;

When the controller handle of the press starter 47 is thrown into position to stop the press, the valve 43 is moved into position to open communication between the reservoir 33 and the space backof the piston 27 and close communication between said space and external atmosphere. As the pressure is still exerting its force against the piston 23, an augmented pressure is applied for setting the brakes to stop the unwinding movement of the roll-promptly with the stopping of the press. As the press stops, the governor 35 will come to rest thereby opening the space back of the piston 23 to external atmosphere and closing communication 'between said space andv the reservoir 1 33, fluid pressure still being maintained in the space back of the piston 27.

The features of this invention, shown and described but not claimed herein, 'form the subject matter of my United States Letters Patent No. 1200574, dated October 10, 1916.

What ll-claim is r y 1. A web r0ll,its fluid pressure operated brake, means controlled by the decreasing diameter of the roll for reducing the frictional resistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll and supplemental. means for applying the brake to stop the roll.

2. A web roll adapted for use in connection with roll unwinding mechanism, a fluid pressure operated brake, means for reducing the frictional resistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll and supplemental means for applying the brake to stop the roll when the unwinding mechanism is stopped.

A web roll adapted for use in connection with. roll unwinding mechanism, a con troller, a brake, means controlled by the decreasing diameter of the 1- 11 for reducing the frictional resistance of the hraketo the unwinding of the'roll, andysupplemental means operated by the controller for apply ing-the brake to stop the rollwhen the unwinding mechanism is stopped.

4. Aweb roll adapted t'or use i'nlconnec tion with rollunw'in'ding mechanism, a controller, a fluid pressure operated brake, means controlled by the decreasingdiameter of the roll for reducing thefrictional resistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll, and supplemental means operated by the controller for applying the brake to stop the roll 'when the unwinding mechanism' is stopped. v

'5. A web roll adapted for use in connection with roll unwinding mechanism, a fluid pressure operated brake, meanst'or reducing' the frictional resistance ofthe brake to the unwinding of the roll, and supple stopped and for releasing the brake when the unwinding mechanism is started.

6 A web roll adapted for use in connection with roll unwinding mechanism, a brake, means for reducing the frictional resistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll, supplemental means for applying the brake to stop the roll When the unwinding mechanism is stopped, and forreleasing the brake when the unwinding mechanism is started, and means for applying the brake as a retarding device when the unwinding mechanism reaches a predetermined speed.

7 A web roll adapted for use in connectionjwith roll unwinding mechanism, a fluid pressure operated brake, means for reducing the frictionalresistance ofthe brake. to

the unwinding of the roll, supplemental means for applying the brake .to stop the roll when the unwinding mechanism is stopped and for releasing the brake when the unwinding mechanism is started and means forapplying the brake as a retarding device when the 'unwinding' mechanism reaches a predetermined speed. i

8. A web roll adapted for use in connection with roll unwinding mechanism, a controller, a brake, means controlled by the decreasing diameter of the roll for reducing the frictional resistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll, supplemental means operated by the controller for applying the brake to stop the roll when the unwinding mechanism is stopped and for releasing the brake when the unwinding mechanism is started, and means controlled by the unwinding mechanism for applying the brake as a retarding device when the un 'vinding mechanism reaches a predetermined speed;

9.'A web roll adapted foruse 1n connection wlth roll unwinding mechanism, a con- '85 mental 'meansfor applying the brake to stop the roll when the unwinding mechanism is all.

troller, a brake, means controlled by the decreasing diameter of the roll for reducing the frictional resistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll, supplemental means operated by the controller for applying the brake to stop the roll when the unwinding mechanism is stopped and to release the brake when the unwinding mechanism is started, and means controlled by the un winding mechanism for applying the brake as a retarding device when the unwinding mechanism reaches a predetermined speed, and for removing its efi'ect upon the brake when the unwinding mechanism is stopped.

10. A web roll adapted for use in connection with roll unwincing mechanism, a controller, a fluid pressure operated brake, means controlled by the decreasing diameter of the roll for reducing the frictional re sistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll, supplemental means operated by the controller for applying the brake to stop the roll when the unwinding mechanism is stopped and to release the brake when the unwinding mechanism is started, and means controlled by the unwinding mechanism for applying the brake as a retarding device when the unwinding mechanism reaches a predetermined speed.

. 11. A web roll adapted for use in connection with roll unwinding mechanism, a controller, a fluid pressure operated brake, means controlled by the decreasing diameter of the roll for reducing the frictional resistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll, supplemental means operated by the controller for applying the brake to stop the roll when the unwindingmechanism is stopped and to release the brake when the unwinding mechanism is started, and means controlled by the unwinding mechanism for applying the brake as a retarding device when the unwinding mechanism reaches a predetermined speed, and for removing its effect upon the brake when the unwinding mechanism is stopped.

12. A web roll adapted for use in connection with roll unwinding mechanism, a controller, a fluid pressure operated brake comprising two brake levers, two cylinders, pistons working therein connected to said levers, means controlled by the decreasing diameter of the roll for moving the fulcrums of the levers toward each other to reduce the frictional resistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll, means controlled by the unwinding mechanism for c0ntr01- ling the action of the pressure fluid in one cylinder for applying the brake as a retarding device when the unwinding mechanism reaches a predetermined speed and for removing its eflect upon the brake when the unwinding. mechanism is stopped, and means operated by the controller for controlling the action of the fluid in the other cylinder for applying the brake to stop the roll when the unwinding mechanism is stopped and for releasing the brake when the unwinding mechanism is started.

13. A web roll adapted for use in connection with roll unwinding mechanism, a controller, a fluid pressure operated brake comin the smaller cylinder for applying the brake as a retarding device when the unwinding mechanism reaches a 'p'redet'er mined speed and for removing its effect upon the brake when the unwinding mechanism is stopped, and means operated by the controller for controlling the action of the fluid in the larger cylinder for applying the brake to stop the roll when the unwinding mechanism is stopped and for releasing the brake when the unwinding mechanism is started.

14. A web roll adapted for use in connec tion with roll unwinding mechanism, a controller, a fluid pressure operated brake comprising a brake lever, two cylinders, pis tons working therein connected to said lever, means controlled by the decreasing diameter of the roll for moving the fulcrum of the lever in a direction to reduce the frictional resistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll, means controlled by the unwinding mechanism for controlling the action of the fluid in one cylinder for applying the brake as a retarding'device when the unwinding mechanism reaches a predetermined speed and for removing its efl'ect upon the brake when the unwinding mechanism is stopped, and means operated by the controller for controlling the action of the fluid in the other cylinder for applying the brake to stop the roll when the unwinding mechanism is stopped and for releasing the brake when the unwinding mechanism is started.

15. A web roll adapted for use in connection with roll unwinding mechanism, a controller, a fluid pressure operated brake comprising a brake lever, two cylinders of clifferent diameters, pistons working therein connected to said lever, means controlled by the decreasing diameter of the roll for moving the fulcrum of the lever in a direction to reduce the frictional resistance of the brake to the unwinding of the roll, means controlled by the unwinding. mechanism for controlling the action of the fluid in the smaller cylinder for applying the brake as a retarding device when the unwinding mechanism reaches a predetermined speed and for removing its eflect upon the brake when the unwinding mechanism is stopped, and means operated by the controller for controlling the action ofthe fluid in the larger cylinder for applying the brake to stop the roll when the unwinding mechanism is stopped and for releasing the Copies of this patent may be obtained for brake when the unwinding mechanism is started. I

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in 15 presence of two witnesses, this twenty seventh day of October 1913.

HOWARD M. BARBER.

Witnesses:

A. R. STI LMAN, E. M. GRANT.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C. 

